How Light is Used in the Last Scene of The Truman Show

My earlier post about lighting design in casinos and The Venetian hotel got me thinking about the last scene of The Truman Show. He's at the edge of Seahaven Island where the wall is painted to look like the limitless sky.

The set where he has always lived is sunlit and bright. A space where Truman has 'nothing to fear'.

When he opens the small exit door, there is darkness. Just like the casinos were designed to be oasis in the middle of the desert, the outside world is shown pitch black.

The meaning of light and darkness here is brilliant and reversed! The light is not depicted as the truth. The darkness also makes the truth uncertain but it allows a chance for the truth.

And alas....we know the choice he makes!!